Lee Hughes is back on the blog...

Arguably the best up 'n' coming writer the Isle of Man has to offer has resurrected his blog. In fact I can't think of another Manx writer so drop the aforementioned arguably. That makes Lee 'King of the Island' in my book! If you've missed his incomparable, often witty and invariably gruesome mix of crime 'n' horror writing, then I recommend you go take a look by clicking on the title of this post. Lee still has a website, too, where many of his fine stories live...here

Col Bury's Crime Fiction Choice...

Hi Folks,
It's that time again when I choose three stories I particularly enjoyed from around the blogosphere. The Brits have had a good run to date so now it's the turn of our American friends. However, I make no excuses all three of this month's selections are from the deep archives of Thrillers, Killers 'n' Chillers. Next month I will mix 'n' match.

Col Bury's Crime Fiction Choice #7

COUNT THE EYES - by Erin Cole

A must-read, beautifully written, atmospheric chiller from Erin. I had to break off half-way through, for a brew, such was the tension! A inimitable tale with a strong voice I absolutely loved the sound of.

Col Bury's Crime Fiction Choice #8

AN INVERTED VIEW OF WIVES - by Angel Zapata

When a crystal ball arrives in the post Larry's life takes a mysterious turn. A profound piece of incomparable flash - with a cracking title - from back in May when Angel debuted over at TKnC.

Col Bury's Crime Fiction Choice #9

GRETA - by Christopher Grant

If you've missed Greta, you've missed a treat. She's a stunning blonde doubling as a no nonsense debt collector - one of the most memorable female characters throughout the blogosphere. There's a trilogy of Greta stories over on TKnC - a place that A Twist Of Noir Editor, Chris, calls his 'home from home'. The fact her name is an anagram of 'Great' is less than coincidence.

Enjoy!

Sheila Quigley's 'The Road To Hell' book launch in Newcastle...

I had a smooth ride across the Pennines and up A1 until the mystical, and somewhat eerie-looking, sculpture 'The Angel of the North' jumped out of the trees at me as I cruised through Gateshead and into Newcastle for my maiden visit.
After booking into the old half-star 'hotel' I met up with writing buddy Matt Hilton and his adorable wife Denise - on our reconnaisance mission to locate the venue - where I was introduced to an unassuming chap, crime author, Adrian Magson and his lovely wife, Anne. So being wife-less on this excursion, the joke was: Col 'Goose' Bury!
It was great to finally meet Adrian having been in contact with him via email for a while now and I appreciated hearing his invaluable insights into the writing world.
The main event was at the spooky Masonic Temple on Maple Terrace. I met Sheila Quigley outside (faggin' it!) and, having heard a helluva lot about her (all good) I found her to be just up my street: a gritty, salt-of-the-earth Northerner with wicked wit and a contagious laugh. Inside it was packed and a cool band played swing-style in the background, and I was extreeeemely pleased to see that there was a bar!
Among the many well-wishers in attendance were the publisher, Stuart Wheatman (pictured with Sheila n I) of Tonto Books and author, Ken McCoy, both of whom I was pleased to briefly meet.
The book itself, The Road To Hell' had me hooked from the first page (I started it on the hotel bog - sorry, too much info') and one chap must've thought the same as he was sat at the back (not in the hotel bog - at the launch) flicking page after page, totally engrossed.
The night was topped off with a nice Italian (down boy) n good writing chat sliced with smart-arse banter (that'll be me then) with Denise, Anne, Matt n Adrian.
The next day we all met up with Sheila again then hogged Blakes coffee shop in Newcastle centre and had a jolly good chin-wag mixed with a plethora of chuckles. Laugh? I nearly bought a round!
A thoroughly enjoyable sojourn, despite my 'brisk' walk through a dodgy council estate while searching for the elusive Masonic Temple that none of the locals had even heard of - when I asked one chap he looked at me as if I was from the moon. When he replied, I returned the same look! Plus, the return trip: bumper-to-bumper M62, driving rain, glaring headlights n baggy eyes...grr.
Look out for a forthcoming Q&A with the inimitable Sheila right here, and her road to success is a heart-rending story in itself so watch this space. And if you've not read any of Sheila's gritty stuff yet then you're missing a treat.
The Road to Hell by Sheila Quigley - hardback published by Tonto Books.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN, OFFICER - my latest piece over at TKnC...

I hope everyone had a great Halloween. For my part, we took the kids trick or treating then returned home for an extreeemely noisy party!

Once the shouting and screaming had waned I thought I'd write a piece of flash to cause some more. Click on the title above to read Happy Halloween, Officer.